Coconut oil is everywhere right now. It’s touted as a healing-beneficial-multipurpose-superfood – and everyone and their dog are shouting the benefits of using coconut oil. So I will too.

Coconut oil really is an all-purpose product. Not only can you use it in the kitchen, but you can also use it as medicine and as a beauty product. Coconut oil has a longer shelf life than other oil, in fact coconut oil is an extremely stable oil and has a high smoke point, meaning it won’t go rancid and can be used to in frying, baking etc. I use it in baking and cooking almost daily. I made a chocolate cheesecake the other night and it was perfect in that, pretty much anything I bake will use coconut oil instead of olive oil or butter. I also use it in my smoothies most days because it is great for the immune system as it has an antiviral and antibacterial effect. I’ve also seen some research that suggests it is good for blood sugar control – which I’m all about!

Other benefits include:

Helps digestion – research suggests that coconut oil can help bloating and bad digestion.

I love using coconut oil in the shower – much to the annoyance of Sam who complains about how slippery it makes the shower! – I use it as a moisturiser. I hate moisturising, so much so that I just don’t do it. And I know I should, because I constantly have gross, dry legs! However, dry skin no more! I’ve started using coconut oil a few times a week, and never get dry skin anymore, in fact my skin feels so lovely and soft.

Coconut oil can even be used on cuts and infected skin because it forms a protective antibacterial layer. I’ve tried this, I cut my finger on a tin the other night, and it healed quicker than a lot of my other cuts.

If you do a quick google search, you will find so many uses for coconut oil! It’s important to buy the raw, cold-pressed virgin type of oil. You can find coconut oil in most supermarkets, usually in the health food aisle and you will find a large range in any health food shop.